Sunday, Nov. 18 is also the day of the Holy Family Parish frozen turkey collection from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Monument Square. The church’s youth ministry collect frozen turkeys for the Crossroads Shelter in East Boston and the Roxbury Family Life Center. If you want to donate a bird, there will be a truck parked in front of the church.

From Nov. 21, 2012 to Jan. 1, 2013, bring the family and take in the Concord Museum trees exhibit, where beloved children’s books are brought to life as Christmas tree decorations. Visit here for more information. The annual exhibit has become a town favorite.

On Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Orchard House, 399 Lexington Road, you can experience an interactive tour with an authentically costumed, expert guide portraying an Alcott family member or one of their famous friends. Hear fascinating anecdotes and learn firsthand about their lives and times. Tickets for adults are $12; seniors/college students are $10; youths (6-17 years) are $8; children (2-6 years) are $4; the family rate (two adults and up to four youths) is $30; and members get in for half-price on individual tickets only. Space is limited; reservations and prepayment are strongly suggested.

Take in a concert on Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Concord Academy Performing Arts Center, 166 Main Street, where the Concord Chamber Music Society features the St. Lawrence String Quartet at 3 p.m., with a pre-concert lecture at 2 p.m. Visit here for more information. Hear String Quartet Op. 76, No. 2 by Franz Joseph Haydn; Kohelet (2011) by Osvaldo Golijov; and String Quartet Op. 59, No. 1 (Razumovsky) by Ludwig van Beethoven. Tickets are between $28-$42 and seating is reserved.

On Monday, Nov. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m., Barrett & Company holds its Holiday Shopping Event at Monument Hall, 62 Monument Square. Gather with friends and family and enjoy refreshments while shopping for the holidays -- all to benefit good causes. Plus, start your night with a visit to the Gold Rush Booth and get cash for your unwanted gold or sterling silver jewelry. Gold Rush donates 15 percent of its proceeds to charity. Twenty-five local vendors will all also donate a portion of their sales to charity. This year Barret & Company has selected four charities that help the community: NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, Operation Soldier, Juvenile Diabetes, and MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

For an extra-special treat for the youngsters, go to the Nutcracker Suite “by and for children” from Nov. 26 to Dec. 21 at the Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord, 51 Walden St. Directed by Helena Doohovskoy, the performance features creative productions with movement and arts, intertwined to inspire young minds and hearts. Learning opportunities are available for junior assistants (4th grade through high school). Check the website for schedules. Appropriate for 3-year-olds to 4th graders.

For a more intellectual bent, go to the Nov. 27 ConcordCAN's Sustainable Concord Coffee and learn about how the whole community can respond to large-scale emergencies like the recent Hurricane Sandy. The coffee, at Harvey Wheeler Community Center, is from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Guests from the fire department are Chief Mark Coutreau and Deputy Chief Chris Kelley.

Shop at the Winter Market at the Emerson Umbrella Center, 40 Stow Street for its annual celebration of fine art and craft. It runs Friday, Nov. 30 from 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 1 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Hop across Sudbury Road the same weekend and select holiday gifts at the Concord Library’s semi-annual book sale. The sale, at 129 Main Street, is not to be missed. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. These gently used books are in prime gift-giving condition, and cover all genres from children’s books to fiction to cookbooks. New books are brought out continuously throughout all three days. Profits go to support programs such as museum passes, author talks, and more.

The next Thursday Author will present Mary Keenan on Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Library Periodicals Reading Room. Lexington author Keenan will discuss her book "In Haste, Julia: 1819-1900, Julia Robbins Barrett: Abolitionist, Artist, Suffragist." Open to all. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.